Part of Ulmerton to gain lanes

Construction begins this summer to add two lanes to a 2.4-mile stretch from east of Oakhurst Road to 119th Street.

By SHANNON TAN
Published May 15, 2004

LARGO - The state is widening a 2.4-mile portion of Ulmerton Road from four to six lanes in an effort to reduce traffic congestion.

The highway will be widened from east of Oakhurst Road, where it intersects with Walsingham Road, to 119th Street and Ulmerton.

Construction is expected to start at the end of next month or early July, said Kris Carson, Florida Department of Transportation spokeswoman.

The $16.7-million widening project will take 800 days and is expected to be completed by late summer or early fall of 2006.

In 2002, an average of 38,000 vehicles traveled on Ulmerton Road west of Seminole Boulevard. An average of 31,500 vehicles used Ulmerton Road west of 113th Street that same year.

The Sheriff's Office will not staff the intersection of Ulmerton and 119th with crossing guards during the construction. The guards have been helping students at Ridgecrest Elementary School cross since Monday.

During construction, parents should drive their children to school or get them to use the Pinellas Trail overpass located about a quarter mile east of 119th Street, officials said.

There will be no lane closures between 7:30 a.m. and 9 p.m.

Side streets will remain open, but starting around January 2006, 134th Avenue will be permanently closed.